Dear Neighbor,
Spring has sprung here in Michigan! I hope you are having a great start to the season and enjoying everything the warmer weather brings to our state. As we transition into spring, I encourage you to take advantage of the longer days and pleasant weather by spending time outdoors, whether it’s exploring our beautiful state parks, going for a hike, or simply relaxing in your backyard.
Up in Lansing, our team is using the longer days to get things accomplished on behalf of our community. Keep reading to learn more about the work we’re doing to support Michigan families, protect vulnerable adults, and more. Oh, and — Happy World Water Day!
I wanted to take a moment to highlight our printable coloring bookmark that you might share with the readers in your family — March is Reading Month, after all!
Tax season is here, and in full swing! Take a moment to look at some of our helpful tax tips, below, and check out the video with State Treasurer Rachel Eubanks!
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can contact me by sending an email to SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov or calling (517) 373-2417.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 13
- Happy World Water Day, a time to reflect on the importance of water in our everyday lives. Earlier this week, I spoke to my colleagues on the Senate floor about how we all must be good stewards of this most valuable resource — watch here!
- March is Reading Month! This past week, I visted students at Walled Lake Elementary, where I read them “The Legend of Michigan” by Trinka Hakes Noble. I cherish every opportunity I get to spend time with our community’s future leaders.
- Tax season is well underway, with the deadline to file with the state and federal government coming up on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Find some tax tips below, as well as in this video from the Michigan Dept. of Treasury customized for our residents right here in District 13.
Celebrating Our Most Precious Resource: Water
Today, March 22, is World Water Day, a time to reflect on the importance of water in our everyday lives. Despite being our most vital, precious resource, water is too often taken for granted. Across the world, $2.2 billion people struggle with access to safe water, including right here in our own backyard. Without access to safe, clean drinking water, our public health is at risk, and communities cannot thrive. On World Water Day this year, I want to underscore that we all must be good stewards of this critical resource, from supporting clean water initiatives to protecting our local waterways — every action counts.
Click here to watch my floor statement commemorating World Water Day on the Senate floor earlier this week.
Regulating Michigan Pet Cemeteries
Our beloved pets are devoted companions who are with us through the ups and downs of life, which is why the place we choose to eventually lay them to rest is a sacred one. Unfortunately, without regulations in place for pet cemeteries here in Michigan, people are more vulnerable to deceptive business practices when using these establishments. This, of course, is what led to one of the most horrific examples, when, in 2019, pet owners were forced to exhume the remains of their animals from Heavenly Acres Pet Cemetery in Livingston County.
That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 157, legislation that would outline basic requirements for the operation of pet cemeteries statewide. This bill, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs this past week, would ensure Michigan pet owners can trust these places to honor and care for their companions the right way.
To learn more about this issue, you can listen to my recent committee remarks on the need for this legislation here, as well as hear the testimonies from residents who have been victims of fraudulent actions by pet cemetery owners. Eric and Sherry Wexler shared how they were forced to exhume their beloved Dash in the summer of 2019, noting the damaged caskets and poorly maintained sites. Lisa Barnett spoke about the trauma she and her husband Stephen experienced having to locate the remains of their three cherished family pets, dig them up, and lay them to rest somewhere else.
Unveiling the “Building Blocks” Needed to Cut Costs, Improve Child Care and Create Opportunity for Parents and Kids
Last week, Senate Democrats unveiled a bold, transformative proposal that would provide the “Building Blocks” Michigan needs to uplift working parents and ensure they have a fair shot at a better quality of life for themselves and their children.
The plan takes a multi-angled approach to cutting the cost of parenting by:
- Providing a significant income boost to working families through a targeted Working Parents Tax Credit;
- Expanding Rx Kids statewide, a first-of-its-kind program that provides cash payments to new mothers and their babies; and
- Tackling the child care crisis from both the demand and supply side.
To watch the press conference, visit the Michigan Senate Democrats’ Facebook Page. And to sign on as a supporter of this game-changing proposal, click here.
Protecting Vulnerable Adults from Abuse
Elderly individuals and vulnerable adults are at high risk of being subject to abuse and exploitation at the hands of family members, friends, or other close associates. According to the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, more than 73,000 older adults in the state are victims of these crimes, which can lead to serious physical and psychological effects such as depression, increased hospitalization, and premature death.
To protect older and vulnerable Michiganders from these threats, I joined my colleagues to pass Senate Bills 111–114 this week, which would increase protections by making a special personal protection order available, strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation offenses, and developing programs to bolster prevention efforts. Learn more about this legislation here.
Holding the Trump Administration and DOGE Accountable
Building on previous work Senate Democrats have done to expose and highlight the consequences the federal funding freeze is having on public safety as well as on Michigan children, seniors, and families, my colleagues and I came together this week to stand up and speak out to protect Michiganders’ health care and private data.
Protecting Health Care Access
Last month, Republicans in Washington voted for a budget resolution that paves the way for massive, indiscriminate cuts to Medicaid. And as the federal Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE) seeks to slash enough from the federal budget to pay for a tax break for the wealthiest 1% of Americans, Medicaid is among the critical programs on the chopping block.
To protect the 2.6 million Michiganders — including children, seniors, and veterans — who rely on Medicaid for essential health care services, my colleagues and I joined physicians, patients, and advocates for a committee hearing and press conference where we called on the Trump administration to stop these dangerous cuts.
To learn more, you can watch the committee hearing here and the press conference here.
Addressing DOGE’s Access to Your Private Information
This week, the Senate Oversight Committee heard testimony from IT and cybersecurity experts on the impact and potential implications of DOGE’s unfettered access to Michiganders’ personal, financial, and health information. In addition to addressing the various cybersecurity issues raised by the Trump administration’s invasion of private data, experts also shared ways individuals can protect themselves from any repercussions.
To watch the committee hearing and learn more, click here.
March is Reading Month
I had a great time visiting 3rd graders at Walled Lake Elementary! To celebrate Reading Month this March, I shared one of my favorite picture books to read aloud to a class: “The Legend of Michigan” by Trinka Hakes Noble. March is a great time to celebrate the joy of reading — but early childhood literacy is important all year long!
Here is a link to a printable coloring bookmark that you might like to share with your child!
Tax Tips: Keep More of Your Tax Return
Tax season is here! If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to get out your tax documents and file with the state and federal government before Tuesday, April 15, 2025. In addition to saving with the retirement tax repeal and the expanded tax credit for working families, here are a few other quick tips to help you maximize your return this year:
- Avoid scams: For federal returns, the IRS will only initiate contact with you through regular mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Make sure you do not share your personal tax information via phone, email, or social media. Learn more here.
- Utilize free resources: Michigan Free Tax Help connects Michiganders with free, high-quality income tax preparation assistance. Visit MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org to find local help.
- Take advantage of available deductions: You can deduct charitable contributions, property taxes, medical expenses and more from your federal 2024 taxes. Visit IRS.gov/credits-deductions for a full list.
And, check out this video: For more tax tips, the Michigan Dept. of Treasury has also put together a helpful video customized for District 13 residents on things you might want to be aware of when you go to file your taxes this season! Watch it here.
Reminder: New Child Restraint Law Takes Affect April 2
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young children. But you can reduce your child’s risk of death in a crash by 50% simply by ensuring they’re properly restrained in the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for their age and size.
Beginning April 2, Michigan’s child restraint law is changing. Here’s what you need to know:
- Children must ride rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old or outgrow the height or weight limits of their rear-facing car seat.
- Children must ride in a forward-facing car seat with an internal five-point harness until they are at least 5 years old or outgrow the car seat’s height or weight limits.
- Children must ride in a booster seat secured with a lap and shoulder seatbelt until they are at least 8 years old or until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall.
- Children younger than 13 years old must be restrained in the vehicle’s rear seats unless all rear seats are occupied by other children or the vehicle doesn’t have rear seating.
While not every location offers car seat installation, many fire or police departments have individuals certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians who can assist with car seat inspections and installations, often free of charge. Contact your local station to learn more.
For more information about the law change or tips on how to install a car seat yourself, visit the Michigan State Police’s webpage on child passenger safety here.
Support for Federal Workers in Michigan Impacted by Federal Layoffs and Funding Cuts
To support federal workers who may have recently lost their jobs, the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has compiled several resources to offer support. A new, comprehensive webpage, Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp, provides impacted federal workers with easy access to unemployment, job search, and community resources.
Workers who recently lost their jobs through no fault of their own may be eligible to apply for temporary financial assistance through the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) as well.
UIA has resources in place to help any laid off federal worker, including:
- UIA Claimant Roadmap: An easy-to-follow, six-step guide to applying for and understanding unemployment benefits.
- Online Coaching Sessions: Web-based guidance from UIA staff who walk users through the steps needed to complete an application and qualify for payments.
- UIA Community Connect: This program partners with local groups to provide guidance for workers from underserved groups who have faced barriers when filing for jobless benefits.
- Schedule an Appointment: Schedule either an in-person, phone or virtual appointment to speak with a UIA Customer Service Agent.
- Looking for Work: Tips to understanding your responsibilities when it comes to conducting and documenting your successful work searches.
- Assistance with Setting Up an Account: Workers must create a MiLogin account before setting up a MiWAM account.
For additional assistance, workers can find FAQs, videos, and other resources at Michigan.gov/UIA. To reach an agent or unlock a MiWAM or MiLogin account, you can reach a customer service representative at 866-500-0017.
In partnership with LEO’s Office of Employment and Training, Michigan Works! agencies are also available to assist affected federal workers. Services offered include:
- Basic Career Services, which are available to all workers seeking services.
- Individualized Career Services, which are designed for workers who are unable to obtain employment through basic career services alone.
- Training Services, which are necessary to equip workers with the skills needed to obtain and retain employment.
To connect with your local Michigan Works! service center, call 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visit Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks.